Haiti Issues Recovery Plan Calling for New Ports, Textile Centers, Etc.
On March 31, 2010, an “International Donors’ Conference Towards a New Future for Haiti”1 was held at the United Nations to organize international support for the development needs of Haiti in an effort to lay the foundation for Haiti’s long-term recovery.
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At the conference, Haiti presented its Action Plan for National Recovery and Development of Haiti, the government’s vision for Haiti’s future and how international support can assist.
Haiti’s Plan Includes Industrial Zones, Free Zones, Add’l Airports and Seaports
Haiti’s action plan acknowledges that the construction and management of large facilities and infrastructure for production (industrial zones, business “free zones”, etc.) or as an aid to production (ports, airports, energy and telecom infrastructure, etc.) will necessitate huge investments and adequate management capacity.
Industrial parks, free zones. Haiti wants to encourage investment by supporting the development of industrial parks and free zones.
Repair of Port-au-Prince airport, add 2 more int’l airports. Haiti’s Action Plan includes rehabilitation and extension of the Port-au-Prince airport’s capacity, and the addition of two more international airports located close to the towns of Cap Haïtien and Les Cayes.
Two add’l deep-water ports, other smaller ports. The report notes problems with the current port in the capital and calls for the construction of two other deep-water ports and other smaller ports.
New Regional Development Centers to Focus on Textiles, Agriculture, Etc.
Haiti’s plan calls for the creation of development centers to slow the overrdevelopment of Port-au-Prince. The development centers, in addition to Port-au-Prince, include:
- in the North, the axis between Cap Haïtien and Ouanaminthe for agriculture, textiles, and tourism;
- the region around Gonaïves for agriculture and tourism; and
- the South for agriculture, textiles and tourism.
Bill to Expand Haiti Benefits Awaiting the President’s Signature
During the week of May 3, 2010, the House and Senate passed the Haiti Economic Lift Program (HELP) Act (H.R. 5160). H.R. 5160 is awaiting the President’s signature. Highlights of H.R. 5160 include:
- U.S.-Caribbean Basin and Trade Partnership Act, and its trade preference levels (TPLs) and brassiere provisions, would be extended through 2020;
- Haiti HOPE, and woven and knit TPLs, would be extended through 2020;
- Certain additional Haiti apparel would be duty-free regardless of fabric source;
- Certain additional Haiti made-up textile articles would be duty-free regardless of fabric source;
- HOPE woven or knit TPLs would increase if heavily utilized (with certain exceptions);
- ‘3 for 1’ Earned Import Allowance rule would be lowered to ‘2 for 1’;
- Value Added Rule, TPL would be revised, extended; and
- Duty-free treatment for wire harnesses would be extended 5 years.
1co-hosted by the U.S., the UN, in cooperation with the Government of Haiti, and with the support of Brazil, Canada, the European Union, France, and Spain.
(See ITT’s Online Archives or 05/07/10 news, 10050710, for complete summary of H.R. 5160.)
Haiti’s Action Plan (dated March 2010) available at http://www.haiticonference.org/Haiti_Action_Plan_ENG.pdf.